Don't Miss

Ryu Hyun-jin’s Top 5 funniest moments

June 13, 2014

It seems Ryu Hyun-jin can’t do any wrong these days. Sure, he got roughed up by the Cincinnati Reds earlier this week, but he’s still a fan favorite.

While his 7-3 record this season is a big reason why his popularity is soaring, there’s another element as well. The Korean lefty’s fun-loving personality has helped him fit into the locker room and with the fan base.

While Ryu is all business on the mound, the Incheon native is building a reputation for keeping it light and getting his teammates to smile.

Here’s five videos that show Ryu’s playful side.

In this video taken last year, Ryu plays catch with a young fan in the stands. And it’s not just one or two tosses. The southpaw has an extended session with the boy, who seems to have quite the arm.

Ryu has a couple of “bro-mances” going on with teammates Juan Uribe and Yasiel Puig.

In this video, Ryu and Uribe make a mess with sunflower seeds. Ryu playfully chops his friend in the throat; Uribe fights back by pelting him with seeds.

In April, Ryu took exception to a slap to the head from the hulking Puig. Ryu retaliates by conking his buddy on the head with the butt-end of a bat. Puig’s response was to tickle Ryu into submission.

Ryu’s status as an expensive import player did not preclude him from some harmless hazing. In this video taken last year, Ryu is made to sing Psy’s “Gangnam Style” and do its signature “horse-riding” dance. He ropes teammates Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp into the fun.

Ryu didn’t look happy during this batting practice, which came the day after he got roughed up in his first postseason outing against the Atlanta Braves last year. The pitcher was walking around alone when some of his teammates started lobbing baseballs at him. Ryu soon gets in on the fun.